Picture: North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie, MEC for Treasury and City of Matlosana mayor, Fikile Mahlope, with abandoned baby/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
17 September 2024- The North West MEC for Social Development, Sussana Dantjie and MEC for Treasury, Kenetswe Mosenogi, visited Neserhof abandoned baby at Klerksdorp/Tshepong hospital to check its health condition. On Tuesday, Dantjie and Mosenogi, who were accompanied by the mayor of City of Matlosana, Fikile Hlope brought a set of layette, including infant baby milk and pampers for the baby who is still receiving medical attention at the hospital.
During the visit, Dantjie asked social workers to compile a home circumstance report on the family of the abandoned baby and continue to provide them with counselling.
“So far, we appreciate the role that Rata Organisation, SAPS, the hospital management and other stakeholders have played in ensuring the care and safety of the baby. Let us work together to assist the affected family so that similar incident does not happen again.
“According to information that was doing the rounds on social media, the baby was swaddled in a blanket with a carton of milk and a few nappies next to him. The police were called to the scene. They took the baby to Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital,” she said.
17 September 2024- A former senior government official, Neil Naidoo together with two businessmen, Kenny Govender and Matthew Pillay, appeared before the East London Regional Court on 16 September 2024, on charges of corruption, the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA) and one of defeating the ends of justice.
Naidoo and Pillay are out on R5000 bail, while Govender is out on R50 000 bail.
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said: “Three accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges and their trial is set to commence until 20 September 2024. Subsequent to their plea, Govender’s attorney made an application for the provision of further particulars and the court dismissed it.
“The state has called its first witness to present its evidence in chief.”
Picture: North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua with beneficiaries/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
17 September 2024- The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua conducted an oversight visit to the Military Veterans Housing Programme in Ganyesa, near Vryburg. Mokua’s oversight visit was part of the Provincial Government’s Accelerated Service delivery Programme, Thuntsha Lerole.
Mokua, who was standing in for the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, was accompanied by local ward councillors and Dikgosi. She expressed her satisfaction in the progress made by the department in ensuring the provision of housing to the Military Veterans in the province.
“We also engaged with beneficiaries of the three houses amongst those that the department has constructed. During these engagements, we observed, registered and acknowledged progress in relation to the specifications on these houses.
“These include built -in kitchen, stove, bedroom cupboards and fitted bathroom amongst others. The house is also making provision of an additional 3rd Bedroom replacing the carport, which beneficiaries have requested for,” said Mokua.
She further reiterated that it is in the interest of the department to complete all backlogs as it is the department’s commitment to redress and restore dignity in the lives of communities in the province. Mokua added that they are mindful of different circumstances the beneficiaries are faced with.
“The department will continue to conduct due diligence in every project they are working on and quality assurance, compliance and accountability forms part of the contract with service providers,” she said.
Meanwhile, the emotional Tsimane Kamanyane, who is one of the beneficiaries, showed his gratitude and appreciation to the gesture that the department has extended.
“I am very emotional because I now see that indeed, the government is caring. I am an owner because I now have a dignified home,” he said.
17 September 2024- A stock theft case against Kenalemang Moses Matshego (39), was postponed to 20 September 2024, for a further bail hearing by the Itsoseng Magistrate Court. Matshego is facing serious charges related to his failure to provide satisfactory accounts for his possession of stock or produce.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the charges against the accused, arose from an incident on 4 September 2024, when members of the Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit, acted on intelligence regarding suspected stolen cattle loaded onto a truck near Itsoseng.
Gunya said upon interception, police arrested Matshego and recovered 15 cattle valued at approximately R150 000.
“The investigations revealed that the cattle were allegedly stolen from various locations in and around Mahikeng and Itsoseng. The state is opposing bail, arguing that Matshego has a propensity for committing schedule one offenses, casting doubt on his reliability as a candidate for bail.
“The accused remains in custody until his next court appearance. The NPA and the South African Police Service (SAPS), are committed to combatting stock theft and ensuring that offenders are held accountable for their actions,” he said.
Gunya further said this case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to protect the agricultural community from theft and other related crimes.
Picture: North West University (NWU) alumnus, Chris van Dyk/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
17 September 2024- North West University (NWU) alumnus, Chris van Dyk who was recently bestowed with the Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering’s (SAIIE) Best Industrial Engineering Practitioner – Employer’s Choice Award said, he is grateful with his achievements.
Van Dyk said the award demonstrates his contributions to the field of agriculture and the respect he has earned from peers and employers as business analyst at Taaibosch Piggery. Reflecting on his career path, van Dyk said he started thinking about his future, while he was doing his third year.
“In my third year at the NWU, I started thinking about which industry I wanted to enter as an industrial engineer. I found that agriculture, with its increasing reliance on technology and data management, was intriguing.
“Interestingly, industrial engineering is still a relatively new field within the agricultural industry. After graduating with a degree in industrial engineering in 2021, I saw an opportunity to enter this sector,” he said.
Van Dyk further said the opportunity came through job openings shared by the School of Industrial Engineering. He added that he applied for the position at Taaibosch, and the rest is history.
“This marked the beginning of my career in agriculture as an industrial engineer. My work at Taaibosch presented me with unique challenges. Working as an engineer at a piggery, made me realise that I needed to prioritise the success of others, which led to opportunities and successful projects.
“So, receiving the SAIIE award made me reflect on the impact of my work. This recognition made me understand the significance and relevance of my contributions,” said van Dyk.
He said it also reinforced the importance of collaboration, to advance people, farms and the industry. Van Dyk said he is now focusing on a long-term project to introduce a learning enterprise structure to farming, inspired by the Toyota Way.
“The Toyota Way is a set of principles defining the organisational culture of Toyota. A learning enterprise with a core philosophy of scientific thinking could benefit farms as businesses and improve the lives of those involved.
“I am currently pursuing a master’s degree and my research focuses on the relationship between farm administration and quality management. I continue to work as a business analyst for Taaibosch Piggery,” he said.
Picture: The dagga worth R340 000 confiscated by the police/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
17 September 2024- A man (40) was arrested for allegedly dealing in dagga. This comes after the vigilance and alert action by the Deben Station Commander, Captain Mosimaneotsile Letsapa on 16 September 2024.
This resulted in the arrest and seizure of dagga worth almost R340 000. Letsapa, who was en-route to Kathu driving on R380 road, noticed a suspicious silver Toyota Verso Sedan driving in the direction of Deben.
“I activated my members, who responded swiftly and spotted the vehicle. The members stopped and searched the vehicle and found dagga with an estimated street value of R340 000.
“The vehicle was also confiscated as it was utilized in the commission of a crime. The suspect is expected to appear in the Kathu Magistrate’s Court soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Commissioner, Major General Johnny Besnaar, commended the vigilance of the police, stating that criminals will not be tolerated in his district and their space to operate will be squeezed to zero.
Picture: The missing Shewan Cherman van Staden/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
17 September 2024- The police in Upington are requesting the assistance of the public to locate missing man, Shewan Cherman van Staden (29) of Louisvaleweg. According to the ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela, Shewan was last seen on 27 August 2024, in Leseding when he went to visit his aunt, but never returned home.
“He was last seen wearing a purple jacket with blue denim pants. Anyone with information can contact the investigation officer, Sergeant Tsaone Motshwari on 082 495-4615 or 054 337 3435.
“The public is reminded that there is no waiting period to report a missing person,” she said.
17 September 2024- Two Members of South African Police Service’s VIP Protection Unit were sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Upington Regional Court for theft. In 2014, both accused, Michael Sibiya (48) and Tebogo Noe (46), were on duty in the Upington area when they visited the local mall and stumbled upon cash to the value of R60 000.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said, instead of making attempts to locate the owner, the duo decided to buy flashlights and hid the money inside the box. Thebe said they attempted to send their new found loot to their addresses back in Kimberley through the local courier.
“However, local courier employees in Upington became suspicious and opened the package. Cash was found and they immediately notified Upington Serious Organised Crime Investigation of the Hawks.
“Sibiya and Noe were immediately placed under arrest. The court found the two police officers guilty in January 2016 after a lengthy trial. Sentencing took place on 16 September 2024 after numerous delay tactics by the duo,” he said.
Thebe further said both accused were found guilty and fined R30 000 each, to be paid in monthly instalments or alternative three years imprisonment suspended for five years. He added that Sibiya and Noe were further declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General Stephen Mabuela, welcomed the sentence and said integrity is non-negotiable for police officers, who are found to miss this important trait and they have no place in SAPS.
Picture: The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
17 September 2024- The North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane, has appointed an interim board for the North Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB). Lenkopane said the interim board is led by Advocate Matshidiso Mogale and is deputized by Advocate Obakeng Kgomo.
She further said the interim board is inclusive of representatives from the House of Traditional Affairs and community members from the auspices of People and Parks. Lekopane added that she issued a clear mandate to the interim board, which include amongst others, a transformation of parks in the province and the improved relations with Communal Property Relations (CPAs).
“This includes a review of associations and contracts signed with companies. I have further instructed the interim board to discontinue relations with any association that does not add any value and is financially reliant on the entity without tangible results.
“I’m concerned that the NWPTB and its subsidiaries received adverse audit opinions from the Auditor General (AG) in the last financial year. The AG emphasized matters of material misstatements, which led to the adverse audit opinion,” she said.
Lenkopane said such matters include but are not limited to poor financial controls, lack of consequence management against those who violate the policies of the entity, fruitless and wasteful expenditure. She said amongst other things, the AG recommended that she should take strong measures as the MEC to ensure accountability and good governance.
“It is within that context that I have taken the decision to appoint the interim board that is tasked with improving governance and addressing challenges which affect subsidiaries such as the Golden Leopards Resort (GLR),” said Lenkopane.
17 September 2024 – Members of Parliament (MPs) were sworn in as members of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) yesterday. The four members, Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, Mdumiseni Ntuli, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, and Vuyani Pambo, were appointed by both Houses of Parliament to serve as members of the continental legislative body.
The National Assembly spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo said they were sworn in yesterday morning during the sitting of the Pan-African Parliament Committees and other PAP organs currently underway in Midrand, Johannesburg. Mothapo said the PAP is a legislative organ of the African Union (AU) as set out by the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community (Abuja Treaty).
“It provides a platform for people from all African states to be involved in discussions and decision-making on the problems and challenges facing the continent, including matters pertaining to respect for human rights, the consolidation of democratic institutions and the culture of democracy, as well as the promotion of good governance and the rule of law.
“The PAP also promotes, among other things, the coordination and harmonisation of policies, measures, programmes, and activities of the Regional Economic Communities and the parliamentary fora on the continent,” he said.
Mothapo further said during yesterday’s plenary session, the members received presentations on various topics affecting the continent’s development, such as peace and security, climate change, and the poor implementation of Agenda 2063.
The Guardian 